Brews at the Zoo

Last Friday, I found myself at the….

…for Brews at the Zoo.

For a first year event run by a zoo, this was well done. The first sign that this was going to be good was that they reached out to the local breweries. It would have been easy to go with “name” beers. I.E. The Highly Marketed Ones. But they made a great effort. Bringing in breweries that I hadn’t seen in LA county at all like Noble from Anaheim (I suggest the Alpha Red) and Inland Empire from, well, the Inland Empire. (I recommend the Pepin the Short)

The second positive sign was the fact that each brewery brought two beers. Nothing rare or earth shattering but it certainly wasn’t one of those festivals where one flagship was pouring and that’s it. I got to taste the El Segundo IPA for the first time as well as a nice saison from Left Coast.

Plus the location is really great. How often do you get to drink with ‘gators….
…and giraffes….

I am going to watch for any future versions of this fest and if you are in L.A. you should too.

Taste of Brews in Long Beach

Two weeks from today you can head to Long Beach and help out The Long Beach Marine Institute by drinking beer!

“Southern California’s premier beer-tasting festival features dozens of seasonal, craft and micro-brews paired alongside “traditional” libations from top breweries. A refreshing new approach to beer tasting, Taste of Brews pays homage to the passion and excitement that today’s full-flavored craft beers are generating among consumers while providing an exciting platform to introduce new styles. More than 50 of today’s hottest brands will sample pilsners, ales, lagers, bocks, seasonal and specialty brews.”

It will be held at the Lighthouse Park near the Shoreline Aquatic Park. For more information and tickets go HERE/strong>

Brew at the Zoo

One week from today…..

Not only does your ticket to Brew at the Zoo benefit a worthy educational experience in the LA Zoo. You will get the chance to try a bunch of local breweries. It is a who’s-who of LA beer. I am interested in Noble Aleworks and Inland Empire Brewing since I have not sampled their wares yet.

Coronado + Surly Goat =

what is going down tomorrow night, Thursday, July 21 at 6pm.

The Surly Goat in West Hollywood welcomes one of the great big shining stars of the world renowned SD beer scene ~ Coronado Brewing Co.!

Special guests from the brewery include: Head Brewer – Sean Ferrell, Owner – Rick Chapman & Local Rep – Clinton Smith.

Special Tappings include:
Blue Bridge Coffee Stout – Irish style stout, 6% with Calabria coffee beans & cold brewed coffee added

Saison by the Sea – 7 % with chamomile, ginger, spearmint & grains of paradise

Frog’s Breath IPA – 6.5% with citrus peel added

Idiot Imperial IPA 8.5%

Islander IPA 7.5%

On Cask:
Orange Ave Wit with Habanero & Cilantro

Saison by the Sea is one of my new favorites and the cask selections at Surly Goat always surprise. So check it out.

beer + charity =

A great chance to help one of my favorite charities and one that I have volunteered for in the past and will volunteer for again in the future…

Here are the details from the e-mail press release:
“The First Annual Harvest Beer Fest, sponsored in part by Spaceland Productions, along with Anderson Valley Brewing Co., El Prado & Malo Restaurant, will be held at the Echoplex & Echo bringing together the best in LA-based food trucks, entertainment and over 50 West Coast and national brews. Local favorite bands such as Vaud & the Villains, Shannon & the Clams, Blasting Company, and Last Round Down will provide live entertainment throughout the day, and ticket sale proceeds will benefit 826LA.

The Harvest Beer Fest is 21+ for entry; attendees must bring a valid ID for entry into the event.

General Admission: $30/person; includes unlimited sample sized pours. Food is available for purchase from food trucks at the event.”

Go to Ticketweb.com to purchase